Convenience outlet



Dec. 24, 1929. HUGHES 1,740,652

GQNVENIENCE OUTLET Filed Oct. 10, 1927 Patented; Dec. 24, 192% amen ROLAND 'I. HUGHES, F OAK P 1" 1, ILLINOIS CONVENIENCE OUTLET Application filed October 10, 1927. Serial No. 225,173.

This invention relates to convenience outlets and the object of my invention is to provide means cooperating with a standard out let box to provide a convenience outlet having a quick detachable connection.

Another object of my invention is to provide a convenience outlet connection of the quick detachable type adapted for attachment to a conventional outlet box of fiat form.

I accomplish the above and other objects of the invention, which will be apparent as the description proceeds, by ,means of the construction shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an elevation of an outlet box provided with my invention, the outlet box being shown in section;

Figure 2 is a vertical section through my improved convenience outlet;

Figure 3 is a perspective of the convenience outlet, the parts thereof being shown separated.

On the drawing, in which like reference characters indicate like parts on all the figures thereof, 1 indicates an outlet box having the usual knockouts 2 and a screw threaded plug 3, the latter being designed for mechanically connecting a fixture thereto. The feed wires 4, 4e extend through the knockouts as is common in such constructions.

The convenience outlet constituting my in- I vention is formed in two substantially semicylindrical sections 5, 6. Each section is r formed of insulated material with a slot 7 therein in which is located a. metal contact element which may be detachable therefrom and is preferably of the type shown in my copending application Ser. $10,225,172.

In order to mount eachof the feed wires in its corresponding socket element in the preferred form of my invention, the contact'element 8 is removed from the socket and the wire threaded through theopening 9 and the slot 7 The wire is then secured, by means of a screw or by soldering, to the contact element and the contact element then slipped in place in the slot 7. l

Each of. the socket elements is provided with a groove 10 in its periphery of such size as to receive the edge of the knockout in which it is to be positioned, I i

The socket elements are also provided with overlapping extensions 11 having screw threaded openings 12.

After the feed wires have been mounted in the socket elements, theelements are inserted in the knockout opening with the edge of the opening engaging in the groove 10. The two socket elements are then firmly secured together in the opening by means of a screw passing through the aperture 11. The screw may extend into the plaster or wood of the walliin which the outlet box is located, if desire It is to be noted that the interior of the, socket elements are cut away so as to be of such size that their fiat faces 13 will not contact when their extensions are secured together, this construction permitting of their being inserted into the knockout opening at an angle until the edges of the opening engage in the groove 10.

The location of the grooves 10 will depend upon the depth of the outlet box. In the case of very shallow boxes,'the.grooves should be located so that the main portion of the socket shall be in the rear of the box and none of the socket should project beyond the wall in which the box is located.,\

It will thus be seen that I have provided an attachment for an outlet box which will convert it into a convenience outlet-for the attachment of a lighting fixture or other electrical equipment having a quick detachable connection. It will also be seen that this convenience outlet connection may be made without employing the services of a skilled electrician and at a minimum of expense and labor. 1

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A convenience outlet comprising a plurality of socket members, a contact carried by each of said members, means for detachably connecting said members, said socket members being provided with grooves adapted for the reception of the knockout of an outlet box.

2. A convenience outlet comprising two socket members, a contact carried by each of said socket members, said members having s aced opposed faces, and means for detacha 1y connecting said socket members to each other and in the knockout of an outlet box.

3. A convenience outlet comprising two a socket members, contact elements in said socket members, said members having spaced inner faces, an extension on each of said mem- 10 bers, and means for detachabl connectin said extensions to each other wit the o pose faces of the socket members in space relation.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afix my signature. I

ROL T. GHES. 

